ASABA/Nigeria: Amid concerns raised by some youths of Okpanam over the naming and public identification of the Cubana Millennium City project, Godfrey C. Osakwe, Chairman of the Delta State Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), has called for calm, strategic positioning and civil engagement, stressing that unity and sound branding are critical to attracting investment and maximising long-term development gains.
Osakwe stated that there is no dispute about the physical location of Cubana Millennium City, affirming that the multi-billion-naira project is situated in Okpanam, within Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State. He emphasised that this geographical fact remains unchanged, regardless of how the project is referenced in wider communication or promotional materials.
According to him, in branding, investment communication and place marketing, developments are often referenced by the most recognisable metropolitan identity to enhance visibility, market appeal and investor confidence. Osakwe noted that Okpanam lies within the Delta State Capital Territory, and referencing the project as being in Asaba does not in any way erase Okpanam’s ownership, heritage or identity.
Rather, he explained, such positioning situates the development within a broader urban brand that already enjoys strong national and international recognition. He described this approach as a globally accepted public relations strategy known as city branding or presence marketing, aimed at deliberately positioning locations in the minds of investors, tourists and other stakeholders.
Osakwe said the strategy is about creating mental real estate that attracts opportunity and accelerates development, urging stakeholders to avoid framing the issue as a naming dispute. Instead, he encouraged strategic collaboration that would allow Okpanam to benefit from the visibility of Asaba while also projecting itself as a peaceful, progressive and investment-friendly community.
He maintained that both identities can coexist harmoniously, adding that the project could proudly be referenced as “Cubana Millennium City, Asaba–Okpanam, Oshimili North LGA, Delta State, Nigeria,” without diminishing the status or cultural identity of Okpanam.
The NIPR chairman stressed that development thrives in an atmosphere of unity, not contention, and that the real priority should be maximising the economic, social and infrastructural benefits the landmark investment promises for Okpanam, the Capital Territory and Delta State at large.
Osakwe also called for support for Chief Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, describing his expansion into large-scale urban development as a clear demonstration of confidence in Delta State and Nigeria.
He concluded that encouraging investment and projecting communities as welcoming destinations would yield far greater dividends than internal disagreements, noting that strategic positioning is not about diminishing identity but about amplifying opportunity, and calling for understanding and civility to prevail in public conduct.
